The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 27, 1982
Filed:
Dec. 10, 1979
Bruce J Watkins, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (US);
Regan Offshore International, Inc., Torrance, CA (US);
Abstract
A connector for subsea flowlines is disclosed having a metal-to-metal seal affording minimum flexure of the flowline. Each end of the flowline to be connected is provided with a mandrel. One mandrel, designated the flowline mandrel, is provided with a seating surface and an external locking surface. The second mandrel, designated the connector mandrel, is provided with a seating surface adapted for mating relationship with the seating surface of the flowline mandrel with a metal seal disposed therebetween. Additionally, the connector mandrel carries a first sleeve disposed concentrically about it adapted to slide over the end of the connector mandrel into circumferential engagement with the flowline mandrel. A plurality of locking dogs are carried by the first sleeve adapted for engagement with the external locking surface of the flowline mandrel. A second sleeve is disposed concentrically about the first sleeve with an interior inclined surface adapted to force the dogs into locking engagement with the exterior locking surface of the flowline mandrel as the second sleeve is moved longitudinally. The sleeves are provided with seals therebetween and ports into the confined areas thus defined to allow the sleeves to be moved as pistons longitudinally between extended and retracted positions whereby the connector can be connected and locked as well as unlocked and disconnected from a remote location. Additionally, an auxiliary connector is carried with the flowline connector elements whereby a power or control signal connected therethrough only has continuity when the flowline connector is connected and locked.